The party finds a small, mud-caked hut belonging to Kaelen, a hermit druid who has partially succumbed to the blight.
A shield made from the blackened wood. It grants resistance to Acid damage but weighs twice as much as a standard shield. A series of encounters for 5th Edition Dungeons...
If successful, he reveals the blight isn't natural—it’s leaking from an ancient "Sorrow Stone" recently unearthed by grave robbers. He gives the party a Vial of Purified Dew , which can neutralize the sap on one creature or object. Encounter 3: The Sorrow Stone (Boss/Objective) The party finds a small, mud-caked hut belonging
2 Giant Spiders and 1 Ettercap . These creatures aren’t just hunting; they are coated in the black sap, giving them +2 to their AC but reducing their movement speed by 10 feet. If successful, he reveals the blight isn't natural—it’s
Slick Sap. The ground is difficult terrain. Any creature that falls prone must succeed on a DC 12 Strength save or be "Restrained" by the sticky residue until they use an action to break free. Encounter 2: The Silent Hermit (Social/Skill Challenge)
Killing the mound stops the immediate threat, but the stone must be cleansed (using Kaelen’s dew or a Dispel Magic spell) to stop the blight permanently. Adventure Rewards
The party gains a "Forest Friend" trait in this region, granting advantage on Survival checks to find food or water.